Jahnava Nitai Das Posted August 14, 2002 Report Share Posted August 14, 2002 Standing Saint Propagates World Peace BHOPAL, INDIA, July 31, 2002: Sant Ram Kishore Das Khade Shree Maharaj has never in the past nine years sat or lied down. Originally from Nepal, the 73-year-old saint has pledged to remain standing for at least 14 years for world peace. Sant Ram feels he can remain standing for more than 14 years or even through his entire life. He began his present sadhana, discipline, in Mehsana, Gujarat, in 1993. "The first two years had been excruciatingly tough with my feet swelling up with pain and itching," he said adding, "I keep standing on either foot alternatively through the day and night. And to rest, I place my hands on a swing-like contraption or lean on a pole behind me. The swing also serves as support to sleep." He prefers walking taking rest midway by supporting himself on tree branches on roadsides. Sant Ram annual calendar also includes other pledges like to not speak for five months in a year when he meditates indoors for 22 hours and meets people only for two hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinash Posted August 15, 2002 Report Share Posted August 15, 2002 What do the members of this forum think about this? Does torturing one's body so much bring world peace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahnava Nitai Das Posted August 15, 2002 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2002 According to the Gita, austerities that torture the body are in the mode of ignorance. The result of any tamasic activity is ultimately negative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prabhupadanuga Posted August 15, 2002 Report Share Posted August 15, 2002 Srila Prabhupada explained it so nicely..chant and be happy. Hare Krsna! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gHari Posted August 15, 2002 Report Share Posted August 15, 2002 Prahlad's old man stood on one foot and received a great benediction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinash Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 Then why do the scriptures abound in the stories that mention people doing very hard askesis? It is mentioned that they got blessings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahnava Nitai Das Posted August 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 What constitutes torture to the body will vary according to the individual,time and circumstances. Dhruva didn't require a rope swing to sleep in. /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avinash Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 Perhaps you are trying to say that Dhruva had such an ardent desire to see God that he did not feel pain. This makes sense. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahnava Nitai Das Posted August 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 As a practical example, if you or I fast completely for the day on a holy occassion, it isn't torture, it is austerity. But if a small child is made to undergo the same fast, it is a form of torture. Many factors are involved, such as ability to tolerate, ultimate purpose, mental conception, etc. The saints of previous ages certainly had a higher experience of reality, made possible through their god realization, that helped them to transcend their physical experiences. It is described that Dhruva, but holding his breath, made the entire universe suffocate (unintentionally). His consciousness had transcended his body and enveloped the universe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahnava Nitai Das Posted August 16, 2002 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 Back to the question, do I think standing whole day will bring about world peace? No. There are plenty of people in India standing in queues whole day (the poor for food, others for the cinema). Dhruva and other saints never performed their austerities to bring about world peace. This is just a catch phrase made by the media. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.